Broaden

Broaden is a verb meaning to make something wider in physical dimensions, or to expand its scope, range, or influence. It can describe the tangible widening of objects, such as a road or a path, as well as the figurative broadening of ideas, policies, or opportunities.

Etymology: The word derives from broad, with the suffix -en forming the verb. Broad comes from the Old English brād ("wide"), related to various Germanic cognates. The verb broaden emerged in Middle English and has since accommodated both literal and figurative senses of widening.

Usage: In physical contexts, broaden is used for changes to width or extent. In figurative contexts, it often appears with nouns like horizons, perspectives, scope, or appeal, as in "broaden horizons," "broaden the scope," or "broaden the appeal of a product."

Synonyms and related terms: Widen, expand, extend, enlarge. Antonyms include narrow, constrict, limit. Nuance: broaden often implies increasing inclusivity or diversity in addition to size, whereas widen can be more purely spatial, and expand can imply growth in multiple dimensions.

See also: broaden one's mind, breadth, width.